Neil Cugley wants Folkestone to bounce back quickly after they were thrashed at Carshalton.

Invicta’s unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt end on Monday as they were hammered 5-0 at Colston Avenue.

Folkestone, who remain in the upper echelons of the Isthmian Premier table in third despite the defeat, have had to deal with injuries to key personnel recently - but long-serving manager Cugley will not be using that as an excuse.

He said: “We have always bounced back from disappointments at Folkestone over the years.

“You take it on the chin and move on - that’s what we need to do again.

“You cannot blame a couple of injuries, really. You just need to get on with it.”

Folkestone’s match at Carshalton was their third in six days, after they played out goalless draws with Hornchurch last Tuesday and Cheshunt on Saturday.

Cugley added: “You get excuses that come about playing lots of games and a lot of driving which can build up.

“But you have just got to get on with it.

"That’s just non-league football!”

Cugley has put in a seven-day approach for an attacking player after three games without scoring for his team, ahead of their FA Trophy tie at home to Isthmian South East Faversham this Saturday.

Looking ahead to the Kent derby, speaking yesterday, the Invicta boss said: “It’s a home game for us and it’s a bit of a one-off.

“I like Faversham. I have got a lot of time for them.

“A few years ago, we had some real humdingers against them when we were both battling at the top of the Isthmian South but, luckily, we went up. I’m looking forward to the game.

“But we need to start scoring goals again. I think we are an attack-minded side, although we haven’t scored in our last three.

“I have put in a seven-dayer for a player. Whether he will travel down this far, I don’t know yet. But I think we need a bit more energy in the side.

“He is somebody with a bit of pace. I should know a bit more tomorrow.”

Defender Matt Newman, who missed a lot of last term with a knee injury, came off with a similar problem at Cheshunt.

Cugley says Newman has been to see a specialist but thinks the injury is not as bad as first feared, while Jordan Wright should be fit to return this weekend.

“He had a really bad knee injury last year. He has been to see a specialist but we are hoping it’s not long-term,” Cugley said on Newman.

“Matt is a big player for us. Hopefully he will be back soon.

“To be fair, at this time of the season, you will pick up a few injuries but you cannot moan.

“You just have to get on with it.”

With £3,000 up for grabs for the winner of the FA Trophy first-round tie, Cugley insists he will not rotate his squad too much and will put out his strongest team at his disposal.

He said: “We are not a big squad anyway.

“There might be one or two changes but I don’t have loads of players to choose from.

“We will put out the strongest side we can. It’s £3,000 in prize money up for grabs as well. It’s a lot of money at this level.”

The FA Trophy tie will go to penalties if it remains level after 90 minutes.

Folkestone visit Wingate and Finchley in the league next Tuesday night.

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